Dry Eye Disease (DED) is a persistent and extremely uncomfortable disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Dr. Lisa Chute at Chili Vision Group is dedicated to treating this disease with every technology available, including the innovative technology: Intense Pulse Light Therapy (IPL). Originally used as a treatment in dermatological care, IPL therapy was found to benefit patients with dry eye disease as well.
IPL therapy uses high-intensity pulses of light aimed at the skin surrounding the eyes. The treatment involves applying ultrasound gel to the skin and projecting concentrated wavelengths of light to the area around the eyes. This is usually followed by manual expression of the Meibomian Glands, and this treatment is repeated at regular intervals (usually every 4-6 weeks) until the symptoms of Dry Eye Disease have improved. Studies have shown that this intense, focused light can fight dry eye disease in several distinct ways. For example, a common cause of dry eye disease is dysfunction of the Meibomian Gland which produces the substance Meibum. Meibum’s main job is to prevent the moisture of the eye from evaporating. IPL Therapy heats these glands, which allows the glands to express the meibum more easily which in turn will improve their function and improve dry eye symptoms.
Another major mechanism of the IPL therapy is reducing inflammation by targeting undesired blood vessels around the Meibomian glands. These blood vessels bring unwanted inflammatory factors to the glands which in turn causes them to become more stagnant. This condition is called Ocular Rosacea and the IPL is extremely efficient at treating this condition. Studies have shown that IPL has improved dry eye symptoms in almost 90% of patients.
Many patients struggle with chronic dry eye conditions that are difficult to manage and require frequent treatment. IPL, unlike many other treatments, addresses the root causes of dry eye disease and can offer long-term relief. A patient who has not had success with traditional forms of treatment for Dry Eye Disease may find that they have more success with a more direct treatment like Intense Pulse Light Therapy (IPL).
If you suffer from persistent Dry Eye Disease, consider booking an appointment with Dr. Lisa Chute at Chili Vision Group for a consultation. Dr. Chute will assess your dry eye and cater a treatment plan for your specific needs. You can request an appointment at the top of this page, by phone, or in person.
If you're interested in reading a bit more about IPL right now, here are some sources for further reading: https://www.mayoclinic.org/med... and https://eyewiki.org/Intense_Pu...
